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The Dytiscidae – based on the Greek dytikos (δυτικός), "able to dive" – are the predaceous diving beetles, a family of water beetles. They occur in virtually any freshwater habitat around the world, but a few species live among leaf litter. The adults of most are between 1 and 2.5 cm (0.4–1.0 in) long, though much variation is seen between species. The European Dytiscus latissimus and Brazilian Megadytes ducalis are the largest, reaching up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) and 4.75 cm (1.9 in) respectively. In contrast, the smallest is likely the Australian Limbodessus atypicali of subterranean waters, which only is about 0.9 mm (0.035 in) long. Most are dark brown, blackish, or dark olive in color with golden highlights in some subfamilies. The larvae are commonly known as water tigers due to their voracious appetite. They have short, but sharp mandibles and immediately upon biting, they deliver digestive enzymes into prey to suck their liquefied remains. The family includes more than 4,000 described species in numerous genera.
Agabus is a large genus of predatory aquatic beetles in the family Dytiscidae, proposed in 1817 by William Elford Leach and named after Agabus, an early follower of Christianity. The adult beetles are moderate-sized, 5 to 14 mm long. The genus is primarily Holarctic in distribution, with only a few species known from the Afrotropical and Neotropical realms. Three species of Agabus, namely A. clypealis, A. discicollis and A. hozgargantae are endangered according to the IUCN Red List. The division into subgenera is not widely accepted. However, a number of species groups are recognized after the works of David J. Larson and Anders N. Nilsson. The genus is probably polyphyletic or paraphyletic. In a recent study of mitochondrial DNA, Agabus was found paraphyletic with respect to several of the species groups of Platambus, a closely related genus in the tribe Agabini. Lately the taxonomy of the genus has been revised, and some groups of species were transferred from Agabussensu stricto to other genera in the tribe Agabini.
Agabus adustus is a species of predatory diving beetle belonging to the family Dytiscidae. It is restricted to the Himalayas.
Agabus aequabilis is a species of predatory diving beetle belonging to the family Dytiscidae. This species is found in Central Asia, with records from Xinjiang and Uzbekistan. It is closely related to Agabus aequalis, and may in fact be the same species, though not enough information is currently available to make this distinction.
Agabus aequalis is a species of predatory diving beetle belonging to the family Dytiscidae. This species inhabits rivers and bogs. It has been found in Transbaikal, Primorsky Krai, and Sakhalin in the Russian Far East, Jilin and Sichuan provinces, China, and Arkhangai and Övörkhangai provinces, Mongolia.
Agabus obliteratus is a species in the family Dytiscidae, in the order Coleoptera ("beetles"). It is found in North America.
Agabus ancillus is a species of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Agabus bifarius is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia and North America.
Agabus pisobius is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Agabus punctatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Agabus clavicornis is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America and the Palearctic.
Agabus approximatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Agabus anthracinus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Agabus infuscatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America and the Palearctic.
Agabus elongatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America and the Palearctic.
Agabus punctulatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Agabus arcticus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America and the Palearctic.
Platambus astrictovittatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
Agabus disintegratus, the disintegrated diving beetle, is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae occurring in North America.
Agabus kootenai is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is found in North America.
References
- ↑ Nilsson, A.N. (June 2000). "A new view on the generic classification of the Agabus-group of genera of the Agabini, aimed at solving the problem with a paraphyletic Agabus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)" (PDF). Koleopterologische Rundschau. 70: 17–36.
- ↑ Young, Frank N (September 1981). "A New Species of Agabus From the Southwestern United States". The Coleopterists Bulletin. 35 (3): 349–351.
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